Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Charleston to Raleigh. Traveling by bus from Charleston to Raleigh usually takes around 11 hours, but the fastest Southeastern Stages bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 220 mi (355 km) |
| Shortest duration | 8h 0m |
| Cheapest price | $39.75 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Southeastern Stages |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Charleston to Raleigh?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Charleston to Raleigh. Southeastern Stages is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Stages | 2 | 10h 38m | $57.63 |
Founded in 1933, Southeastern Stages has a long legacy of providing safe, reliable bus transportation across the Southeastern U.S. This premier bus service provides routes across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Southeastern Stages also has one of the largest fleets of ADA compliant coaches and was one of the first to adopt safety features such as advanced collision avoidance technology. Onboard these modern coaches, passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, reclining seats, overhead reading lights, and restrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 11 hours to cover the 220 miles from Charleston to Raleigh. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 hours and 15 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Charleston to Raleigh, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Charleston
An idyllic city with quaint moss-covered and time-washed buildings, Charleston offers plenty of scenic sights and culturally significant destinations to explore. The highlights of this amazing city are its cobblestone streets and hauntingly beautiful mansions (some are even rumored to be actually haunted). The best way to enjoy these timeless relics is to take a walking tour around town, with or without a local guide. As you enjoy your walking tour, don’t miss out on the chance to explore The Battery, which features some of the most photogenic spots in the entire city. This quarter used to be the center of all maritime activities in the city, but it is now a famous tourist area. The nearby White Point Garden, which houses interesting Civil War-era relics, is also a great destination.
Charleston is a top foodie destination, being quite famous for its Southern staples. The best places to indulge in these Southern delicacies are Husk and Magnolias. If you crave some seafood, Hyman’s Seafood is a local favorite. Plus, Charleston's nightlife makes it a great destination for bachelorette parties.
The main bus station in the city is located on Rivers Ave. The city’s main airport is the Charleston International Airport, 12 miles northwest of downtown.
Raleigh
As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travelers. One of the most famous destinations in the city is the Neuse River Trail, which boasts 28 miles of a scenic path running through Wake Forest. It goes through not only forests but also wetlands, allowing walkers and cyclists to take a breather from the concrete jungle and be one with nature. Raleigh is also a famous research city, so it makes sense to visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. With a permanent collection that attracts all ages, including whale skeletons and seahorse diorama, the museum is a great spot that you should not miss out on. If you wish to go shopping the old-fashioned way, the Raleigh City Market, which opened more than a century ago, allows you to meander through various small boutiques.
Raleigh’s reputation as a foodie haven is on a steady rise, and it currently houses five different establishments by chef Ashley Christensen, of which Poole’s Diner is particularly noteworthy. If you are looking for authentic North Carolina-style barbecues, Clyde Cooper’s stands among the most popular choices.
Raleigh’s main bus station is located outside of the city center at 2210 Capital Blvd. The city’s Amtrak station is one of the busiest in the country, and there are daily trains running from Raleigh to New York City, Charlotte and Miami, among other places. The principal airport in the region is the Raleigh–Durham International Airport, which is northwest of Downtown.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Charleston?
Main departure station: Bus Station - 3610 Dorchester Rd
Most buses depart from the main station in Charleston.
All bus stations in Charleston:
Bus Station - 3610 Dorchester Rd
Where does the bus arrive in Raleigh?
Image credit: Sam Opp
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Bus Terminal - 2210 Capital Blvd
The Bus Terminal on Capital Blvd connects Raleigh to other major cities via bus routes on Greyhound and Southeastern Stages. Popular routes from this station head to Atlanta, New York City, and Washington, DC. Restrooms and a snack bar are available within the station, along with a comfortable seating area. Although the bus terminal is about 2 miles northeast of downtown, local public transit stops right outside the station provide easy access to the rest of Raleigh.
All bus stations in Raleigh:
Bus Terminal - 2210 Capital Blvd
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Raleigh to Charleston?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more